US EPA Region 10 Federal On-Scene Coordinator Report RRT/NWAC Meeting – Tumwater, WA 25 February, 2016 Brooks Stanfield, EPA FOSC

Historical Spill Line Calls

Summary of Emergency Responses Idaho: Post Falls Mercury, Mike Boykin Oregon St. Helen’s Highway, Richard Franklin Washington University Place Chemical Removal, Jeff Fowlow McMurray Road Chemical Removal, Jeff Fowlow

Post Falls Mercury Post Falls, ID November 23 rd 2015, EPA was notified by the Idaho State Communications of an elemental mercury spill of approximately two (2) ounces at a private school in Post Falls, Idaho. November 23 rd 2015, EPA was notified by the Idaho State Communications of an elemental mercury spill of approximately two (2) ounces at a private school in Post Falls, Idaho.

Post Falls Mercury Post Falls, ID Initial assessment by the Idaho State Regional Response Team 1, using a Lumex. Initial assessment by the Idaho State Regional Response Team 1, using a Lumex. Several areas of the school campus buildings were confirmed contaminated. Several areas of the school campus buildings were confirmed contaminated. Prior to notification, teachers and students attempted to cleanup the spilled mercury and may have inadvertently caused migration of contamination. Prior to notification, teachers and students attempted to cleanup the spilled mercury and may have inadvertently caused migration of contamination.

Post Falls Mercury Post Falls, ID It was also reported that approximately 20 students had either contaminated clothing from exposure at school and/or took some of the elemental mercury to their homes. It was also reported that approximately 20 students had either contaminated clothing from exposure at school and/or took some of the elemental mercury to their homes.

Post Falls Mercury Post Falls, ID OSC Boykin & 12 contractors conducted screening in school buildings, homes, and personal items. OSC Boykin & 12 contractors conducted screening in school buildings, homes, and personal items. Floor and counter surfaces were cleaned using a mercury absorbent/cleaning agent, vacuum & overnight heating/ventilation. Floor and counter surfaces were cleaned using a mercury absorbent/cleaning agent, vacuum & overnight heating/ventilation. Only 3 homes with hot spots. Only 3 homes with hot spots. Attempts were made to decontaminate personal items using two heated conex boxes. Attempts were made to decontaminate personal items using two heated conex boxes.

Post Falls Mercury Post Falls, ID Issues: RP delayed in requesting assistance. RP delayed in requesting assistance. Week-long deployment began two days before Thanksgiving. Week-long deployment began two days before Thanksgiving. Excellent integration and assistance with IDEQ, BHS, RRT1, and health district. Excellent integration and assistance with IDEQ, BHS, RRT1, and health district. School officials’ documentation and communication with families were critical to operations. School officials’ documentation and communication with families were critical to operations. Decon of heavily contaminated personal items was moderately successful. Decon of heavily contaminated personal items was moderately successful.

St. Helen’s Highway Portland, OR On December 13 th, a tanker truck lost control and ran into several parked railroad tank cars full of asphalt. Initially, there was a very large fire and smoke plume.

St. Helen’s Highway Portland, OR Although 7 railcars were impacted by the truck accident and fire, none were leaking oil & none were on fire. Most of the fuel from the tanker truck burned up in the incident. No fuels or oil from the tanker truck were found to have flowed toward the Willamette River.

St. Helen’s Highway Portland, OR Issues: Treated as a crime scene initially because the driver couldn’t be found. BNSF train on a Portland Western rail line would have complicated liability. Relationships with industry and local Haz Mat teams paid off. More outreach is needed with local Fire Departments on the response role, capacities, and authority of FOSC.

University Place Chemical Removal University Place, WA January 19 th Washington Department of Ecology requested assistance from the EPA in order to remove hazardous chemicals from a private residence located in a residential neighborhood of University Place, Washington. January 19 th Washington Department of Ecology requested assistance from the EPA in order to remove hazardous chemicals from a private residence located in a residential neighborhood of University Place, Washington.

University Place Chemical Removal University Place, WA The homeowner had been storing chemicals for a friend. The homeowner had been storing chemicals for a friend. Improper labels and containers/incompatible storage. Improper labels and containers/incompatible storage. Sodium and potassium metal, hydrofluoric acid, & mercuric nitrate. Sodium and potassium metal, hydrofluoric acid, & mercuric nitrate. EPA contractors categorized, secured, and safely transported all chemicals off site for proper disposal within a day. EPA contractors categorized, secured, and safely transported all chemicals off site for proper disposal within a day.

McMurray Road Chemical Removal Tacoma, WA Continuing from University Place, in the afternoon of January 19 th EPA began assessing a second property housing chemicals left behind by the same individual. Continuing from University Place, in the afternoon of January 19 th EPA began assessing a second property housing chemicals left behind by the same individual. The residence was abandoned, unsecure, and had been a recent target of burglary and vandalism. The residence was abandoned, unsecure, and had been a recent target of burglary and vandalism.

McMurray Road Chemical Removal Tacoma, WA Chemicals already released through spills or container failure. Chemicals already released through spills or container failure. Chemicals stored in deteriorating containers, stored next to incompatible chemicals, stored in dilapidated and insecure buildings, and/or were improperly labeled. Chemicals stored in deteriorating containers, stored next to incompatible chemicals, stored in dilapidated and insecure buildings, and/or were improperly labeled. Total of 9,513 chemical containers were removed and packed into 200 over packs and shipped off- site for disposal. Total of 9,513 chemical containers were removed and packed into 200 over packs and shipped off- site for disposal.

McMurray Road Chemical Removal Tacoma, WA Issues Issues Coordination with federal and local law enforcement, Ecology was excellent. Coordination with federal and local law enforcement, Ecology was excellent. Legal site access Legal site access Site safety & security Site safety & security Difficult to predict time needed to complete safe removal of all chemicals. Difficult to predict time needed to complete safe removal of all chemicals. We’d do it all over again! We’d do it all over again!

Questions?